Spain start defence against Holland

06 December 2013 06:01

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World champions Spain will face Holland, the side they beat in the 2010 final, in the group stage of the 2014 finals next summer.

Spain's first game will be against the Dutch in a tough-looking Group B along with Chile and Australia - though perhaps not as difficult as Group G where Germany are up against Portugal, Ghana and the United States.

Hosts Brazil will play Croatia in the opening match of the World Cup in Sao Paulo while Mexico and Cameroon are the other sides in Group A.

England have a daunting challenge in Group D against seeds Uruguay, Italy and Costa Rica.

Group E looks the easiest, where France will play Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras, while in Group F Lionel Messi and Argentina are up against Nigeria, Iran and debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Group C looks finally balanced where Colombia, Ivory Coast, Japan and Greece are together, while Group H will feature Belgium, Russia, Algeria and South Korea.